1670s, "height" of a situation or condition, later "legal standing of a person" (1791), from Latin status "condition, position, state, manner, attitude," from past participle stem of stare "to stand," from PIE *ste-tu-, from root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm." Sense of "standing in one's society or profession" is from 1820. Status symbol first recorded 1955; status-seeker from 1956. Status-anxiety is from 1959.

"unaltered condition," 1833, from Latin status quo "the state in which," hence "existing state of affairs." Also status quo ante "the state in which before, state of affairs previous" (1877). Related: Status-quoism.

c. 1600, "an action of chief importance;" 1610s, "a work of pre-eminent merit, a masterpiece," from master (n.) + work (n.). Probably based on a Dutch or German model (compare Middle Low German mesterwerk, German Meisterwerk).

also schoolmaster, "man who presides over a school," c. 1200, scole-maister; see school (n.1) + master (n.).

1720, "an outstanding intellect," from master (n.) + mind (n.). Meaning "head of a criminal enterprise" is attested by 1872. As a verb (also mastermind), "to engage in the highest level of planning and execution of a major operation," from 1940. Related: Masterminded; masterminding.

"masterly line or touch" (especially in painting), 1670s, a sense now obsolete, from master (n.) + stroke (n.). Probably based on a Dutch or German model. In general use, "a masterly achievement, a wonderfully clever or successful action" (1711).

"status, rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a citizen," 1610s, from citizen + -ship.

"conductor," 1838, German, literally "chapel master," from Kapelle "chapel" (also the name given to a band or orchestra), from Old High German kapella (9c.); see chapel (n.) + Meister "master" (see master (n.)).